Trigger-based wireless broadcasting for aerosol delivery devices

ABSTRACT

An aerosol delivery device comprising a control component and a communication interface is provided. The control component controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in instances in which a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least one housing is detected. The communication interface is coupled to the control component and enables wireless communication. The control component further detects a predefined trigger, and automatically in response thereto, causes the communication interface to broadcast availability of the aerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wireless device. The predefined trigger includes at least one instance in which the flow of air is detected, and excludes user-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/808,233, filed Jul. 24, 2015, entitled: Trigger-BasedWireless Broadcasting for Aerosol Delivery Devices, the content of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present application relates to aerosol delivery devices such assmoking articles that may utilize electrically generated heat for theproduction of aerosol (e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to aselectronic cigarettes), and more particularly to aerosol deliverydevices that initiate wireless broadcasting for connection with capablewireless devices based on the detection of triggers. The smokingarticles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which mayincorporate materials that may be made or derived from, or otherwiseincorporate tobacco, the precursor being capable of forming an inhalablesubstance for human consumption.

BACKGROUND

Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years asimprovements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that requirecombusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices purportedly have beendesigned to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar orpipe smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities ofincomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from theburning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numeroussmoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers that utilizeelectrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt toprovide the sensations of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking withoutburning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the variousalternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heatgenerating sources set forth in the background art described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2014/0096781 to Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. See also, for example, the various typesof smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electrically-poweredheat generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial sourcein U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/170,838 to Bless et al., filedFeb. 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Additionally, other types of smoking articles have been proposed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,505,214 to Collins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,841 to Voges,U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2006/0196518to Hon, and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0267031 to Hon, all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Ongoing developments in the field of aerosol delivery devices haveresulted in increasingly sophisticated aerosol delivery devices. Forexample, some aerosol delivery devices are enabled to wirelesslycommunicate (e.g., Bluetooth communication) with other capable wirelessdevices. This communication generally requires an initial setup processin which the aerosol delivery device broadcast advertisements forconnecting with capable wireless devices, and in response thereto,further establishes a line of communication with at least one device.However, initiation of this process may be complex due to the lack ofuser input buttons, at the aerosol delivery device, for use ininitiating broadcasting. Therefore, a need exist for a wirelessbroadcasting method that is initiated independent of user-actuation ofany button on the aerosol delivery device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods offorming such devices, and elements of such devices. The presentdisclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following exampleimplementations. In some example implementations, an aerosol deliverydevice is provided that includes at least one housing, and a controlcomponent and communication interface, contained with the at least onehousing. The control component is configured to control operation of atleast one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in instancesin which a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least onehousing is detected. The communication interface is coupled to thecontrol component and configured to enable wireless communication inwhich the control component is further configured to detect a predefinedtrigger, and automatically in response thereto, cause the communicationinterface to broadcast availability of the aerosol delivery device forconnection with a capable wireless device. The predefined triggerincludes at least one instance in which the flow of air is detected, andexcludes user-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of thepreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the trigger includes a predefined length of time between atleast two instances in which the flow of air is detected.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the predefined length of time is no more than approximately1,250 milliseconds between the at least two instances in which the flowof air is detected.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the trigger includes a predefined duration of an instance inwhich the flow of air is detected.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the predefined duration is between approximately 70 and 750milliseconds.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the trigger includes a predefined number of instances in whichthe flow of air is detected.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body includingthe at least one housing, control component and communication interface.The control body is coupleable to a charging component and a cartridge,and the trigger further includes coupling of the control body to thecharging component or cartridge.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the trigger further includes coupling of the control body tothe cartridge, and the at least one instance is the first instance inwhich the flow of air is detected after the coupling of the control bodyto the cartridge.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the communication interface is a Bluetooth communicationinterface, and the communication interface being caused to broadcastavailability includes the Bluetooth communication interface being causedto transmit an advertisement that includes information for connectingthe Bluetooth communication interface with a capable Bluetooth-enableddevice, and in at least one instance, bond with the capableBluetooth-enabled device upon connection.

In some example implementations of the aerosol delivery device of anypreceding or any subsequent example implementation, or any combinationthereof, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body includingthe at least one housing, control component and Bluetooth communicationinterface, and the trigger further includes coupling of the control bodyto a cartridge, and the at least one instance is the first instance inwhich the flow of air is detected after the coupling of the control bodyto the cartridge, and the Bluetooth communication interface being causedto transmit the advertisement includes being caused to transmit theadvertisement for a length of time no longer than a predetermined lengthof time after the first instance, and thereafter cease transmission ofthe advertisement.

In some example implementations, a method is provided for operation ofan aerosol delivery device. The method comprises, at the aerosoldelivery device, a control component controlling operation of at leastone functional element of the aerosol delivery device in instances inwhich a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least onehousing is detected. The method also comprises a communication interfaceenabling wireless communication; and the control component furtherdetecting a predefined trigger, and automatically in response thereto,causing the communication interface to broadcast availability of theaerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wireless device,the predefined trigger including at least one instance in which the flowof air is detected, and excluding user-actuation of any button on theaerosol delivery device.

In some example implementations of the method of the preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thetrigger includes a predefined length of time between at least twoinstances in which the flow of air is detected.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thepredefined length of time is no more than approximately 1,250milliseconds between the at least two instances in which the flow of airis detected.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thetrigger includes a predefined duration of an instance in which the flowof air is detected.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thepredefined duration is between approximately 70 and 750 milliseconds.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thetrigger includes a predefined number of instances in which the flow ofair is detected.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theaerosol delivery device comprises a control body coupleable to acharging component and a cartridge, and the trigger further includescoupling of the control body to the charging component or cartridge.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thetrigger further includes coupling of the control body to the cartridge,and the at least one instance is the first instance in which the flow ofair is detected after the coupling of the control body to the cartridge.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thecommunication interface is a Bluetooth communication interface, and thecommunication interface broadcasting availability includes the Bluetoothcommunication interface transmitting an advertisement that includesinformation for connecting the Bluetooth communication interface with acapable Bluetooth-enabled device, and in at least one instance, bondingwith the capable Bluetooth-enabled device upon connection.

In some example implementations of the method of any preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theaerosol delivery device comprises a control body including the controlcomponent and Bluetooth communication interface, and the trigger furtherincludes coupling of the control body to a cartridge, and the at leastone instance is the first instance in which the flow of air is detectedafter the coupling of the control body to the cartridge, and theBluetooth communication interface transmitting the advertisementincludes transmitting the advertisement for a length of time no longerthan a predetermined length of time after the first instance, andthereafter cease transmission of the advertisement.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detaileddescription together with the accompanying drawings, which are brieflydescribed below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two,three, four or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure,regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combinedor otherwise recited in a specific example implementation describedherein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such thatany separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of itsaspects and example implementations, should be viewed as intended,namely to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearlydictates otherwise.

It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is providedmerely for purposes of summarizing some example implementations so as toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described exampleimplementations are merely examples and should not be construed tonarrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other exampleimplementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of some described example implementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the disclosure in the foregoing general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device including acartridge coupled to a control body, according to an exampleimplementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of an aerosol delivery device thataccording to various example implementations may correspond to theaerosol delivery device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a state diagram for trigger-based Bluetooth advertising,according to example implementations; and

FIG. 4 illustrates various operations in a method of operation of anaerosol delivery device, according to an example implementation of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to example implementations thereof. These exampleimplementations are described so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theimplementations set forth herein; rather, these implementations areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” “the” and the like include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As described hereinafter, example implementations of the presentdisclosure relate to aerosol delivery systems. Aerosol delivery systemsaccording to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat amaterial (preferably without combusting the material to any significantdegree) to form an inhalable substance; and components of such systemshave the form of articles most preferably are sufficiently compact to beconsidered hand-held devices. That is, use of components of preferredaerosol delivery systems does not result in the production of smoke inthe sense that aerosol results principally from by-products ofcombustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those preferredsystems results in the production of vapors resulting fromvolatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporatedtherein. In some example implementations, components of aerosol deliverysystems may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and thoseelectronic cigarettes most preferably incorporate tobacco and/orcomponents derived from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derivedcomponents in aerosol form.

Aerosol generating pieces of certain preferred aerosol delivery systemsmay provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalationrituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physicalfeel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visibleaerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe that isemployed by lighting and burning tobacco (and hence inhaling tobaccosmoke), without any substantial degree of combustion of any componentthereof. For example, the user of an aerosol generating piece of thepresent disclosure can hold and use that piece much like a smokeremploys a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of thatpiece for inhalation of aerosol produced by that piece, take or drawpuffs at selected intervals of time, and the like.

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure also can becharacterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament deliveryarticles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so as to provideone or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical activeingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalablesubstances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., asubstance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than itscritical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in the formof an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquiddroplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the term “aerosol” asused herein is meant to include vapors, gases and aerosols of a form ortype suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whetheror not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure generally include anumber of components provided within an outer body or shell, which maybe referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body orshell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body thatcan define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device canvary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigaretteor cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary housing or the elongatedhousing can be formed of two or more separable bodies. For example, anaerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that canbe substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape of aconventional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all of the componentsof the aerosol delivery device are contained within one housing.Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or morehousings that are joined and are separable. For example, an aerosoldelivery device can possess at one end a control body comprising ahousing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeablebattery and various electronics for controlling the operation of thatarticle), and at the other end and integral with or removably coupledthereto, an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion (e.g., adisposable flavor-containing cartridge).

Aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure most preferablycomprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical powersource), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating,controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such asby controlling electrical current flow the power source to othercomponents of the article—e.g., a microprocessor, individually or aspart of a microcontroller), a heater or heat generation member (e.g., anelectrical resistance heating element or other component, which alone orin combination with one or more further elements may be commonlyreferred to as an “atomizer”), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g.,commonly a liquid capable of yielding an aerosol upon application ofsufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as “smokejuice,” “e-liquid” and “e-juice”), and a mouth end region or tip forallowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation(e.g., a defined airflow path through the article such that aerosolgenerated can be withdrawn therefrom upon draw).

More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of componentswithin the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure will beevident in light of the further disclosure provided hereinafter.Additionally, the selection and arrangement of various aerosol deliverysystem components can be appreciated upon consideration of thecommercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such asthose representative products referenced in background art section ofthe present disclosure.

In various examples, an aerosol delivery device can comprise a reservoirconfigured to retain the aerosol precursor composition. The reservoirparticularly can be formed of a porous material (e.g., a fibrousmaterial) and thus may be referred to as a porous substrate (e.g., afibrous substrate).

A fibrous substrate useful as a reservoir in an aerosol delivery devicecan be a woven or nonwoven material formed of a plurality of fibers orfilaments and can be formed of one or both of natural fibers andsynthetic fibers. For example, a fibrous substrate may comprise afiberglass material. In particular examples, a cellulose acetatematerial can be used. In other example implementations, a carbonmaterial can be used. A reservoir may be substantially in the form of acontainer and may include a fibrous material included therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 100including a control body 102 and a cartridge 104, according to variousexample implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1illustrates the control body and the cartridge coupled to one another.The control body and the cartridge may be permanently or detachablyaligned in a functioning relationship. Various mechanisms may connectthe cartridge to the control body to result in a threaded engagement, apress-fit engagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement or thelike. The aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-like,substantially tubular shaped, or substantially cylindrically shaped insome example implementations when the cartridge and the control body arein an assembled configuration. The cartridge and control body mayinclude a unitary housing or outer body or separate, respective housingsor outer bodies, which may be formed of any of a number of differentmaterials. The housing may be formed of any suitable, structurally-soundmaterial. In some examples, the housing may be formed of a metal oralloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum or the like. Other suitablematerials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal-platingover plastic and the like.

In some example implementations, one or both of the control body 102 orthe cartridge 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may be referred toas being disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control bodymay have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and thus may becombined with any type of recharging technology, including connection toa typical alternating current electrical outlet, connection to a carcharger (i.e., a cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to acomputer, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) cable orconnector. Further, in some example implementations, the cartridge maycomprise a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,639to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In one example implementation, the control body 102 and cartridge 104forming the aerosol delivery device 100 may be permanently coupled toone another. Examples of aerosol delivery devices that may be configuredto be disposable and/or which may include first and second outer bodiesthat are configured for permanent coupling are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/170,838 to Bless et al., filed Feb. 3, 2014,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In anotherexample implementation, the cartridge and control body may be configuredin a single-piece, non-detachable form and may incorporate thecomponents, aspects, and features disclosed herein. However, in anotherexample implementation, the control body and cartridge may be configuredto be separable such that, for example, the cartridge may be refilled orreplaced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a more particular example implementation of theaerosol delivery device 100. As seen in the cut-away view illustratedtherein, the aerosol delivery device can comprise a control body 102 andcartridge 104. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control body can be formedof a control body shell 206 that can include a control component 208(e.g., a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller),a flow sensor 210, a battery 212, and one or more light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 214, and such components may be variably aligned. Furtherindicators (e.g., a haptic feedback component, an audio feedbackcomponent, or the like) can be included in addition to or as analternative to the LED. The cartridge can be formed of a cartridge shell216 enclosing a reservoir 218 that is in fluid communication with aliquid transport element 220 adapted to wick or otherwise transport anaerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to aheater 222 (sometimes referred to as a heating element). In someexample, a valve may be positioned between the reservoir and heater, andconfigured to control an amount of aerosol precursor composition passedor delivered from the reservoir to the heater.

Various examples of materials configured to produce heat when electricalcurrent is applied therethrough may be employed to form the heater 222.The heater in these examples may be resistive heating element such as awire coil. Example materials from which the wire coil may be formedinclude Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome, Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂),molybdenum silicide (MoSi), Molybdenum disilicide doped with Aluminum(Mo(Si,Al)₂), graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-basedfoams and yarns) and ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperaturecoefficient ceramics). Example implementations of heaters or heatingmembers useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the presentdisclosure are further described below, and can be incorporated intodevices such as illustrated in FIG. 2 as described herein.

An opening 224 may be present in the cartridge shell 216 (e.g., at themouthend) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the cartridge 104.Such components are representative of the components that may be presentin a cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of cartridgecomponents that are encompassed by the present disclosure.

The cartridge 104 also may include one or more electronic components226, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component, asensor, or the like. The electronic components may be adapted tocommunicate with the control component 208 and/or with an externaldevice by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may bepositioned anywhere within the cartridge or a base 228 thereof.

Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 areillustrated separately, it is understood that the control component andthe flow sensor may be combined as an electronic circuit board with theair flow sensor attached directly thereto. Further, the electroniccircuit board may be positioned horizontally relative to theillustration of FIG. 1 in that the electronic circuit board can belengthwise parallel to the central axis of the control body. In someexamples, the air flow sensor may comprise its own circuit board orother base element to which it can be attached. In some examples, aflexible circuit board may be utilized. A flexible circuit board may beconfigured into a variety of shapes, include substantially tubularshapes. In some examples, a flexible circuit board may be combined with,layered onto, or form part or all of a heater substrate as furtherdescribed below.

The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include componentsadapted to facilitate a fluid engagement therebetween. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the control body can include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232therein. The base 228 of the cartridge can be adapted to engage thecoupler and can include a projection 234 adapted to fit within thecavity. Such engagement can facilitate a stable connection between thecontrol body and the cartridge as well as establish an electricalconnection between the battery 212 and control component 208 in thecontrol body and the heater 222 in the cartridge. Further, the controlbody shell 206 can include an air intake 236, which may be a notch inthe shell where it connects to the coupler that allows for passage ofambient air around the coupler and into the shell where it then passesthrough the cavity 232 of the coupler and into the cartridge through theprojection 234.

A coupler and a base useful according to the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, thecoupler 230 as seen in FIG. 2 may define an outer periphery 238configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of the base 228. In oneexample the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that issubstantially equal to, or slightly greater than, a radius of the outerperiphery of the coupler. Further, the coupler may define one or moreprotrusions 242 at the outer periphery configured to engage one or morerecesses 244 defined at the inner periphery of the base. However,various other examples of structures, shapes and components may beemployed to couple the base to the coupler. In some examples theconnection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of thecontrol body 102 may be substantially permanent, whereas in otherexamples the connection therebetween may be releasable such that, forexample, the control body may be reused with one or more additionalcartridges that may be disposable and/or refillable.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may be substantially rod-like orsubstantially tubular shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped insome examples. In other examples, further shapes and dimensions areencompassed—e.g., a rectangular or triangular cross-section,multifaceted shapes, or the like.

The reservoir 218 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be a container or can be afibrous reservoir, as presently described. For example, the reservoircan comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formedinto the shape of a tube encircling the interior of the cartridge shell216, in this example. An aerosol precursor composition can be retainedin the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, can be sorptivelyretained by the reservoir. The reservoir can be in fluid connection withthe liquid transport element 220. The liquid transport element cantransport the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir viacapillary action to the heater 222 that is in the form of a metal wirecoil in this example. As such, the heater is in a heating arrangementwith the liquid transport element. Example implementations of reservoirsand transport elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according tothe present disclosure are further described below, and such reservoirsand/or transport elements can be incorporated into devices such asillustrated in FIG. 2 as described herein. In particular, specificcombinations of heating members and transport elements as furtherdescribed below may be incorporated into devices such as illustrated inFIG. 2 as described herein.

In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow isdetected by the flow sensor 210, and the heater 222 is activated tovaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing uponthe mouthend of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enterthe air intake 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the coupler 230and the central opening in the projection 234 of the base 228. In thecartridge 104, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form anaerosol. The aerosol is whisked, aspirated or otherwise drawn away fromthe heater and out the opening 224 in the mouthend of the aerosoldelivery device.

In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 may include a numberof additional software-controlled functions. For example, the aerosoldelivery device may include a battery protection circuit configured todetect battery input, loads on the battery terminals, and charginginput. The battery protection circuit may include short-circuitprotection and under-voltage lock out. The aerosol delivery device mayalso include components for ambient temperature measurement, and itscontrol component 208 may be configured to control at least onefunctional element to inhibit battery charging if the ambienttemperature is below a certain temperature (e.g., 0° C.) or above acertain temperature (e.g., 45° C.) prior to start of charging or duringcharging.

Power delivery from the battery 212 may vary over the course of eachpuff on the device 100 according to a power control mechanism. Thedevice may include a “long puff” safety timer such that in the eventthat a user or an inadvertent mechanism causes the device to attempt topuff continuously, the control component 208 may control at least onefunctional element to terminate the puff automatically after some periodof time (e.g., four seconds). Further, the time between puffs on thedevice may be restricted to less than a period of time (e.g., 100). Awatchdog safety timer may automatically reset the aerosol deliverydevice if its control component or software running on it becomesunstable and does not service the timer within an appropriate timeinterval (e.g., eight seconds). Further safety protection may beprovided in the event of a defective or otherwise failed flow sensor210, such as by permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device inorder to prevent inadvertent heating. A puffing limit switch maydeactivate the device in the event of a pressure sensor fail causing thedevice to continuously activate without stopping after the four secondmaximum puff time.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may include a puff tracking algorithmconfigured for heater lockout once a defined number of puffs has beenachieved for an attached cartridge (based on the number of availablepuffs calculated in light of the e-liquid charge in the cartridge). Insome implementations, the puff tracking algorithm indirectly counts thenumber of puffs based on a corresponding number of puff seconds. Assuch, the puff tracking algorithm may incrementally count a number ofpuff seconds in order to calculate when a specified number of puffs haveoccurred and subsequently shut off the device once the puff secondsreach what is estimated to be a pre-determined number of puffs. Forexample, if three (3) seconds is defined to be equivalent to one“average” puff and the device have been configured to shut down aftertwo hundred (200) average puffs, the device may shut down after sixhundred (600) puff second have elapsed with respect to usage of thecartridge. The puff tracking algorithm may further estimate the amountof e-liquid that is utilized per puff second, and mathematicallycalculate the e-liquid volume based at least in part on the estimationof corresponding puffs seconds.

The various components of an aerosol delivery device according to thepresent disclosure can be chosen from components described in the artand commercially available. Examples of batteries that can be usedaccording to the disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2010/0028766 to Peckerar et al., which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The aerosol delivery device 100 can incorporate the sensor 210 oranother sensor or detector for control of supply of electric power tothe heater 222 when aerosol generation is desired (e.g., upon drawduring use). As such, for example, there is provided a manner or methodof turning off the power supply to the heater when the aerosol deliverydevice is not be drawn upon during use, and for turning on the powersupply to actuate or trigger the generation of heat by the heater duringdraw. Additional representative types of sensing or detectionmechanisms, structure and configuration thereof, components thereof, andgeneral methods of operation thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty etal., and PCT Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick, all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The aerosol delivery device 100 most preferably incorporates the controlcomponent 208 or another control mechanism for controlling the amount ofelectric power to the heater 222 during draw. Representative types ofelectronic components, structure and configuration thereof, featuresthereof, and general methods of operation thereof, are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen etal., U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2009/0230117 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0060554 toCollet et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0270727 to Ampolini et al.,and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/209,191 to Henry et al., filedMarch 13, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

Representative types of substrates, reservoirs or other components forsupporting the aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman etal., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/011,992 to Davis et al., filedAug. 28, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/170,838 to Blesset al., filed Feb. 3, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Additionally, various wicking materials,and the configuration and operation of those wicking materials withincertain types of electronic cigarettes, are set forth in U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2014/0209105 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursorcomposition, may comprise a variety of components including, by way ofexample, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol or amixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract and/or flavorants.Various components that may be included in the aerosol precursorcomposition are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al.,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionalrepresentative types of aerosol precursor compositions are set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,101,839 to Jakob et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,531 to Biggs et al., U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., and Chemical andBiological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of BurnTobacco, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Additional representative types of components that yield visual cues orindicators may be employed in the aerosol delivery device 100, such asLEDs and related components, auditory elements (e.g., speakers),vibratory elements (e.g., vibration motors) and the like. Examples ofsuitable LED components, and the configurations and uses thereof, aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Pat. No.8,499,766 to Newton, U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/173,266 to Sears et al., filed Feb. 5,2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Yet other features, controls or components that can be incorporated intoaerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkinset al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S.Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2005/0016550 to Katase, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0163063 to Fernandoet al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2013/0298905 to Leven et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2013/0180553 to Kim et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 toSebastian et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al.,and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0261408 to DePiano et al., all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The control component 208 includes a number of electronic components,and in some examples may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) thatsupports and electrically connects the electronic components. Examplesof suitable electronic components include a microprocessor or processorcore, an integrated circuit, a memory, and the like. In some examples,the control component may include a microcontroller with an integratedprocessor core and memory, and which may further include one or moreintegrated input/output peripherals.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may further include a communicationinterface 246 coupled to the control component 208, and which may beconfigured to enable wireless communication. In some examples, thecommunication interface may be included on the PCB of the controlcomponent, or a separate PCB that may be coupled to the PCB or one ormore components of the control component. The communication interfacemay enable the aerosol delivery device to wirelessly communicate withone or more networks, computing devices or other appropriately-enableddevices. Examples of suitable computing devices include any of a numberof different mobile computers. More particular examples of suitablemobile computers include portable computers (e.g., laptops, notebooks,tablet computers), mobile phones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones),wearable computers (e.g., smartwatches) and the like. In other examples,the computing device may be embodied as other than a mobile computer,such as in the manner of a desktop computer, server computer or thelike. And in yet another example, the computing device may be embodiedas an electric beacon such as one employing iBeacon™ technologydeveloped by Apple Inc. Examples of suitable manners according to whichthe aerosol delivery device may be configured to wirelessly communicateare disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/327,776, filed Jul.10, 2014, to Ampolini et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/609,032, filed Jan. 29, 2015, to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The communication interface 246 may include, for example, an antenna (ormultiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enablingwireless communication with a communication network (e.g., a cellularnetwork, Wi-Fi, WLAN, and/or the like), and/or for supportingdevice-to-device, short-range communication, in accordance with one ormore desired communication technologies. The communication interface mayat times be composed of multiple separate or integrated communicationinterfaces enabling communication in accordance with multiplecommunication technologies. Examples of suitable short-rangecommunication technologies that may be supported by the communicationinterface include various near field communication (NFC) technologies,wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies and the like. Moreparticular examples of suitable WPAN technologies include thosespecified by IEEE 802.15 standards or otherwise, including Bluetooth,Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE), ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA),radio-frequency identification (RFID), Wireless USB and the like. Yetother examples of suitable short-range communication technologiesinclude Wi-Fi Direct, as well as certain other technologies based on orspecified by IEEE 802.11 standards and that support directdevice-to-device communication.

In some example implementations, the aerosol delivery device 100 mayutilize trigger-based wireless broadcasting as a means for initializingconnection to other capable wireless devices (e.g., mobile computers),which connection to and communication with these devices may be enabledby the communication interface 246. In this regard, the controlcomponent 208 may detect a predefined trigger, and automatically inresponse thereto, cause the communication interface to broadcastavailability of the aerosol delivery device for connection with acapable wireless device. As used herein, the broadcasting availabilityof the aerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wirelessdevice may be simply referred to as “broadcasting availability.”

In some examples, the predefined trigger may include at least oneinstance in which the flow of air is detected, and excludeuser-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device 100. Thetrigger may be defined such that the range of difficulty in implementingand/or performing the trigger varies from to easy to moderatelydifficult. In an instance in which the trigger is moderately difficultfor a user of the aerosol delivery device to perform, inadvertentoccurrences of broadcasting availability may be prevented.

In some example implementations, the trigger includes a predefinednumber of instances in which the flow of air is detected. In someimplementations, the trigger includes a predefined length of timebetween at least two instances in which the flow of air is detected. Inone implementation, for example, the predefined length of time is nomore than approximately 1,250 milliseconds between at least twoinstances in which the flow of air is detected. In otherimplementations, however, the predefined length of time may be greaterthan approximately 1,250 milliseconds between at least two instances inwhich the flow of air is detected.

In some implementations, the trigger includes a predefined duration ofan instance in which the flow of air is detected. In one implementation,for example, the predefined duration is between approximately 70 and 750milliseconds. In other implementations, however, the predefined durationmay be less than approximately 70 milliseconds or greater thanapproximately 750 milliseconds between at least two instances in whichthe flow of air is detected.

It should be noted that the trigger may include any one, or multiplecombinations of the triggers otherwise discussed herein. For example,timing information may be predefined within the aerosol delivery deviceto identify a specific length, number, and/or sequence of detected flowsof air to implement a predefined trigger.

In some example implementations in which the control body 102 includesthe control component 208 and the communication interface 246, thecontrol body may be coupleable to a charging component and the cartridge104. In these example implementations, the trigger may further includecoupling of the control body to the charging component or cartridge. Andin at least some of these example implementations, the at least oneinstance in which the flow of air is detected is the first instance inwhich the flow of air is detected after the coupling of the control bodyto the cartridge. As such, broadcasting availability may occur any timeafter the user connects and/or couples the control body to either acartridge or charging component, and takes at least one puff.

In some example implementations, detection of the coupling of thecontrol body 102 to either the cartridge 104 or charging componentresults in an enablement within software of the control body. In atleast some of these example implementations, this software may thencause broadcasting availability to occur on the next single puff onlysuch that if another initiation of broadcasting availability isrequired, the control body must first disconnect from the cartridge orcontrol component. The subsequent initiation of broadcastingavailability may then occur after a recoupling of the control body, andthereafter another initial single puff.

In some example implementations in which the communication interface 246may be or include a Bluetooth communication interface, broadcastingavailability may include the Bluetooth communication interface beingcaused to transmit an advertisement that includes information forconnecting the Bluetooth communication interface with a capableBluetooth-enabled device. As used herein, the transmission of anadvertisement that includes information for connecting the Bluetoothcommunication interface with a capable Bluetooth-enabled device may bereferred to as “advertising availability” or even more simply“advertising”. In at least one instance, the Bluetooth communicationinterface may bond with the capable Bluetooth-enabled device uponconnection.

It should be noted that although many of the example implementationsdiscussed herein specifically reference Bluetooth communicationtechnologies (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy), the example implementationsmay be used in conjunction with other wireless communicationtechnologies not explicitly stated herein including near fieldcommunication (NFC) technologies, wireless personal area network (WPAN)technologies ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA), radio-frequencyidentification (RFID), Wireless USB, Wi-Fi (e.g., Wi-Fi direct) and thelike. As such, implementations in which the communication interface 246may be or include a Bluetooth communication interface only represent oneexample implementation of the present disclosure.

In some example implementations, the Bluetooth communication interfacebeing caused to transmit the advertisement includes being caused totransmit the advertisement for a length of time no longer than apredetermined length of time after the first instance in which the flowof air detected, and thereafter cease transmission of the advertisement.For example, the Bluetooth communication interface may initializeadvertising availability for 30 seconds after the first instance inwhich the flow of air detected, and thereafter cease advertisingavailability.

FIG. 3 illustrates a state diagram 300 for trigger-based Bluetoothadvertising, according to an example implementation of the presentdisclosure. In some example implementations in which the communicationinterface 246 may be or include a Bluetooth communication interface, theBluetooth communication interface may be set in an initial state 302during the process of manufacturing the aerosol delivery device 100. Inthis initial state, the Bluetooth communication interface, and moreparticularly a power source of the Bluetooth communication interface,may be disabled until an initial detection of at least one trigger.

After the detection of the at least one trigger, the Bluetoothcommunication interface may enter an initial advertising state 304 inwhich the Bluetooth communication interface may advertise for apredetermined duration (e.g., 30 seconds). In one example, theadvertising state may be associated with a timer that is set based atleast in part on the predetermined duration. In another example,expiration of the timer may initialize a timeout period.

The Bluetooth communication interface may include a whitelist thatspecifies one or more identifiers of any Bluetooth-enabled devices withwhich the Bluetooth communication interface has previously bonded and/oris allowed to bond (e.g., trusted Bluetooth-enabled devices). In oneexample implementation, if the timer has expired thereby initiating thetimeout period during the initial advertising state 304, and thewhitelist is empty, the Bluetooth communication interface may re-enterthe initial state 302. Alternatively, if the timer has expired therebyinitiating the timeout period and the whitelist is not empty (e.g., thewhitelist has one or more entries), the Bluetooth communicationinterface may enter an active state 306 during which the Bluetoothcommunication interface may be configured to slow advertise if notactively connected to an in-range Bluetooth-enabled device.

During the active state 306, the Bluetooth communication interface maydetect and connect with an in-range Bluetooth-enabled device, andthereby enter a connected state 308. In an instance in which theconnected device becomes out-of-range, the Bluetooth communicationinterface may re-enter the active state. Also during the active state, atrigger may be detected at the aerosol delivery device 100 causing theBluetooth communication interface to enter a secondary advertising state310. In this state, the Bluetooth communication interface may advertisefor a predetermined duration such as 30 seconds, or otherwise advertiseuntil the expiration of the timer in which the timeout period mayinitialize and the Bluetooth communication interface may re-enter theactive state.

Referring again to the initial advertising state 304, if the Bluetoothcommunication interface receives a response from a capableBluetooth-enable device, the Bluetooth communication interface mayinitiate a bonding process 312 with the Bluetooth-enabled device. In oneexample implementation, if the bonding process fails, and the whitelistis empty, the Bluetooth communication interface may re-enter the initialstate 302. Alternatively, if the bonding process fails (or issuccessful), and the whitelist is not empty, the Bluetooth communicationinterface may enter the active state 306. Otherwise, if the bondingprocess is successful, the Bluetooth communication interface may connectwith the responsive Bluetooth-enabled device and thereby enter theconnected state 308.

In some example implementations, in an instance in which the white listis not empty, the Bluetooth communication interface may determine thesubsequent state following the bonding process 312 based at least inpart on whether or not the previously bonded Bluetooth-enabled device isin range. In one implementation, for example, if a previously orrecently bonded Bluetooth-enabled device is in range the Bluetoothcommunication interface may enter the connected state 308. If apreviously bonded Bluetooth-enabled device (i.e., the white list is notempty) is not in range the Bluetooth communication interface may enterthe active state 306.

FIG. 4 illustrates various operations in a method 400 of operation of anaerosol delivery device. As shown at block 402, the method may include acontrol component controlling operation of at least one functionalelement of the aerosol delivery device in instances in which a flow ofair through at least a portion of the at least one housing is detected.As shown at block 404, the method may also include a communicationinterface enabling wireless communication. As shown at block 406, themethod may also include the control component further detecting apredefined trigger, and automatically in response thereto, causing thecommunication interface to broadcast availability of the aerosoldelivery device for connection with a capable wireless device. Thepredefined trigger includes at least one instance in which the flow ofair is detected, and excludes user-actuation of any button on theaerosol delivery device.

The foregoing description of use of the article(s) can be applied to thevarious example implementations described herein through minormodifications, which can be apparent to the person of skill in the artin light of the further disclosure provided herein. The abovedescription of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of thearticle but is provided to comply with all necessary requirements ofdisclosure of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in thearticle(s) illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 or as otherwise described above maybe included in an aerosol delivery device according to the presentdisclosure.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thesedisclosure pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the disclosure are not to be limited to the specificimplementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings describe example implementations in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative implementations without departing from thescope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: at leastone housing; and contained within the at least one housing, a controlcomponent configured to control operation of at least one functionalelement of the aerosol delivery device in instances in which a flow ofair through at least a portion of the at least one housing is detected;and a communication interface coupled to the control component andconfigured to enable wireless communication, wherein the controlcomponent is further configured to detect a predefined trigger, andautomatically in response thereto, cause the communication interface tobroadcast availability of the aerosol delivery device for connectionwith a capable wireless device, the predefined trigger including atleast one instance in which the flow of air is detected, and excludinguser-actuation of any button on the aerosol delivery device.
 2. Theaerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes apredefined length of time between at least two instances in which theflow of air is detected.
 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2,wherein the predefined length of time is no more than approximately1,250 milliseconds between the at least two instances in which the flowof air is detected.
 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, whereinthe trigger includes a predefined duration of an instance in which theflow of air is detected.
 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4,wherein the predefined duration is between approximately 70 and 750milliseconds.
 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein thetrigger includes a predefined number of instances in which the flow ofair is detected.
 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 comprising acontrol body including the at least one housing, control component andcommunication interface, the control body being coupleable to a chargingcomponent and a cartridge, wherein the trigger further includes couplingof the control body to the charging component or cartridge.
 8. Theaerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the trigger further includescoupling of the control body to the cartridge, and the at least oneinstance is the first instance in which the flow of air is detectedafter the coupling of the control body to the cartridge.
 9. The aerosoldelivery device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface is aBluetooth communication interface, and wherein the communicationinterface being caused to broadcast availability includes the Bluetoothcommunication interface being caused to transmit an advertisement thatincludes information for connecting the Bluetooth communicationinterface with a capable Bluetooth-enabled device, and in at least oneinstance, bond with the capable Bluetooth-enabled device uponconnection.
 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9 comprising acontrol body including the at least one housing, control component andBluetooth communication interface, wherein the trigger further includescoupling of the control body to a cartridge, and the at least oneinstance is the first instance in which the flow of air is detectedafter the coupling of the control body to the cartridge, and wherein theBluetooth communication interface being caused to transmit theadvertisement includes being caused to transmit the advertisement for alength of time no longer than a predetermined length of time after thefirst instance, and thereafter cease transmission of the advertisement.11. A method of operation of an aerosol delivery device, the methodcomprising at the aerosol delivery device: a control componentcontrolling operation of at least one functional element of the aerosoldelivery device in instances in which a flow of air through at least aportion of the at least one housing is detected; a communicationinterface enabling wireless communication; and the control componentfurther detecting a predefined trigger, and automatically in responsethereto, causing the communication interface to broadcast availabilityof the aerosol delivery device for connection with a capable wirelessdevice, the predefined trigger including at least one instance in whichthe flow of air is detected, and excluding user-actuation of any buttonon the aerosol delivery device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thetrigger includes a predefined length of time between at least twoinstances in which the flow of air is detected.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the predefined length of time is no more than approximately1,250 milliseconds between the at least two instances in which the flowof air is detected.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the triggerincludes a predefined duration of an instance in which the flow of airis detected.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predefined durationis between approximately 70 and 750 milliseconds.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the trigger includes a predefined number of instancesin which the flow of air is detected.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body coupleableto a charging component and a cartridge, and wherein the trigger furtherincludes coupling of the control body to the charging component orcartridge.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the trigger furtherincludes coupling of the control body to the cartridge, and the at leastone instance is the first instance in which the flow of air is detectedafter the coupling of the control body to the cartridge.
 19. The methodof claim 11, wherein the communication interface is a Bluetoothcommunication interface, and wherein the communication interfacebroadcasting availability includes the Bluetooth communication interfacetransmitting an advertisement that includes information for connectingthe Bluetooth communication interface with a capable Bluetooth-enableddevice, and in at least one instance, bonding with the capableBluetooth-enabled device upon connection.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body includingthe control component and Bluetooth communication interface, wherein thetrigger further includes coupling of the control body to a cartridge,and the at least one instance is the first instance in which the flow ofair is detected after the coupling of the control body to the cartridge,and wherein the Bluetooth communication interface transmitting theadvertisement includes transmitting the advertisement for a length oftime no longer than a predetermined length of time after the firstinstance, and thereafter cease transmission of the advertisement.